A given in this country over the years is how Americans rally when faced with crises. We have a propensity for taking care of each other when the chips are down and the results are high.
Possessing a “servant’s heart” is never more evident than at this time. How we react in time of need says something about each of us, doesn’t it?
This time in our lives reminds me of a story that is entitled “The Servant.” Here it is:
A servant of the Kingdom was walking through the forest late one summer day, when he happened upon what looked like a lantern. He reached down and retrieved the lantern, and as he proceeded to wipe the dirt away, a genie popped out.
Shocked by this surprise guest, the servant hesitantly asked, “Who are you?”
“I am the Genie of Servitude and I am here to grant you one wish.”
“Okay, while I have been a servant of the Kingdom my whole adult life, in the future I would like for people to wait on me and serve me for a change,” the servant responded excitedly.
The genie quickly offered, “Are you sure that you want others to do for you? My powers are limited to granting to you only one wish.”
“Yes, yes,” the servant eagerly replied.
Sure enough, when the servant got back to the King’s castle, there was a footman to open the door for him. When he tried to serve the king, he found someone else had taken his place. Regardless of how hard he tried, he could do nothing for anyone… everything was done for him.
The first month the newness of the experience amused him. The second month it begin to be irritating. During the third month it became almost unbearable.
So the servant headed back to the forest and after much searching found the genie. “I’ve decided that having people wait on me and do for me isn’t as much pleasure as I thought,” stated the servant. “I’d like to return to assisting others,” he continued.
The genie said, “I’m sorry but I can’t help you. I told you that I had the power to grant only one wish.”
“But you don’t understand. I want to serve other people. I find it so rewarding helping others,” the servant said vehemently.
Again the genie said while shaking his head, “I’m powerless to help you.”
In desperation, the servant begged, “But you must help me… you must!! Please let me do for others. I’d rather be in hell than not be able to serve my fellow person!”
The genie, as he drifted away, said sorrowfully, “Where do you think you have been, my friend, for the past ninety days?”
MORAL: “We do not lose ourselves by serving to others, we find ourselves.”
